“Tourist Park was pretty significant compared to normal,” said Andrew MacIver, assistant director of Community Services at the Marquette Parks and Recreation Department, in reference to the number of downed trees at the park this past winter. “There was more damage. It was pretty much the same with Presque Isle — significantly more damage.”

The city worked with Sara Kelso, the district forester from the Marquette County Conservation District, who connected them with PotlatchDeltic out of Gwinn to contract a logger to come and do the cleanup.

“We don’t have the capabilities to do (a cleanup) on that scale,” said MacIver.

The work started approximately on the 15th of May, and was completed by the 21st. The work did not cause any delays to the opening of either park.

Fallen trees at Presque Isle block the road after December’s storm. (Journal photo by Annie Lippert)

According to MacIver, PotlatchDeltic was able to have funds covered through the inclusion of educational programming; area third graders were able to come visit the loggers and view their equipment to learn more about the Upper Peninsula’s logging industry.

“That was supported by the U.S. Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

While the downed trees have been removed, their stumps remain, standing as a reminder of a truly punishing winter.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.